History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 22

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372

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" Coming north from Virginia, I had very good meetings in the meeting houses at Menallen, Huntingdon (Adams County ), Newberry, Warrington, and York; at each of these places to my great satisfaction. At York I had three meetings and remained some days. I formed a good opinion of the town. On the 6th day of the first month, 1790, I went to a place called Wright's ferry; on the Susquehanna River, where I had good meetings at the house of the Widow Wright."

The York meeting house was built on lots Nos. 175 and 176 of the town of York. They were patented by Thomas and Richard Penn to Nathan Hussey, 1763, and by him deeded to William Willis, Joseph Garretson, Herman Updegraff, as trustees. " for the use of the Society of the Friends forever." In 1764 the York "indulged " meeting became a meeting for worship, but ordered " to remain members of the New- berry preparative meeting as before." The meeting house was completed in 1766, and

in 1767 the York preparative meeting established. In 1783 York meeting re- quested to have afternoon meetings on First days to begin at the third hour, which was granted, desiring " that Friends of that meeting may take their children and families with them to meeting." In 1784 they re- quested that a monthly meeting for dis- cipline be settled among them, which was granted.

EARLY MARRIAGES.

Robert Hodgin, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, carpenter, and Theo- date Seal, widow of Joseph Seal, were mar- ried 5-29-1740, at a meeting at John Day's house in Manchester, with the following witnesses :

Rebecca Bennett,

Anne Hussey,

Hannah Fincher,

Nathan Hussey,

Mary Cox,

John Hussey,

Rebecca Cox

Christopher Hussey,

Esther Davis,

Content Garretson,

Anna Garratson,

Ann Day,

Martha Garratson,

John Day,

Sarah McAnabley,

Thomas Fioland,

Elizabeth Price,

Peter Worrall,

Margaret Carson,

Thomas Cox,

James Clemson,

John Noblet,

Francis Fincher,

Ann Noblet,

Joseph Bennett,

Ann Hussey,

William Garretson,

Margaret Hussey,

Joseph Garretson,

John Garretson,

William Griffith,

William Cocks,

James Moore.

Samuel Cocks,

Thomas Riley, John Bailey,

Jacob Youngblood,

James Ashton,

William Baley,

Charles McAhele,

James Baley,

Patrick Carson.

James Frazer, of Manchester Township, in Lancaster County, and Rebecca Cox, daughter of Thomas Cox, of Manchester, were married 8-22-1740, " in a public and solemn assembly of the aforesaid people, and others met together at the house of Wil- liam Garretson, in Manchester, in the County of Lancaster." Witnesses :

Eleazer Mires,

Thomas Cox,

Joseph Garretson,

Alexander Frazer,

Joshua Kenworthy,

Mary Cocks,

Francis Fincher,

Alexander Fraizer,

Edward Mullenaex,

Isaac Cox,

William Griffith,

John Cox,

Andrew Rogers,

Rebecca Bennett,

Christopher Hussey,

John Fincher.

John Garretson,

Nathan Hussey,

Joseph Bennett,

Mary Cox,

John Earl,

Ann Noblet,

Samuel Underwood, John Noblet,

Theodate Hodgin,

Charles Phillips,

Mary Craig,

William Garretson,

Anne Wakelin,

Daniel Early,

Esther Garretson,

George Alford,

Rebecca Rogers,

Jane Fincher.

Ann Cox,

Content Garretson,

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Thomas Davison, of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster, blacksmith, and Sarah Eliot, daughter of Sarah Farmer, of Man- chester, spinster, were married 9-9-1743, at a public meeting house in Manchester. Witnesses :

Joseph Bennett, Jane Carson,

John Noblet, Anne Day.

Patrick Carson,

Mary Carson,

Thomas Leech, John Davison,

Peter Stout, Sarah Farmer,

Anne Hussey, Benjamin Eliot,

Content Garretson,

Jacob Eliot,

Theodate Hodgin, John Farmer,

Rebecca Bennett, John Day.

Alexander Fraizer, of Pennsbury (now in Fairview Township), in Lancaster County, yeoman, and Phoebe Eliot, of Manchester, were married 10-10-1743, at a public meet- ing house in Manchester. Witnesses :

Joseph Bennett, Rebecca Fraizer,

Nathan Hussey, John Day,

Isaac Eliot,

William Garretson,

Benjamin Eliot,

Thomas Leech,

Jacob Eliot,

Edward Mullenaex,

Abraham Eliot,

Patrick Carson,

Rebecca Bennett,

James Bennett, Content Garretson,

Edmond Fitzizanrice,

Naomi Garretson,

John Noblet, Martha Garretson,

John Garretson,

Susannah Mills,

Mary Garretson,

Catherine Eliot,

Sarah Davison, Jane Carson,

Mary Carson.

Moses Key, of Newberry, in the County of Lancaster, laborer, and Susannah Mills, of the same township, spinster, were mar- ried 3-23-1744, at a public meeting house in Newberry. Witnesses :

Rebecca Bennett, Joseph Bennett,

Ann Hussey, Patrick Carson,

Content Garretson, William Bennett,

Jane Carson, Isaac Bennett,

Susannah Hussey, Nathan Hussey, jr.,

Nathan Hussey, John Day, jr.,

John Day, Robert Mills, jr.,

John Garretson,

Robert Mills,

Mary Mills.

Joseph Garretson, of Warrington Town- ship, yoeman, and Mary Mills, of Newberry, were married 7-25-1745, at Newberry meet- ing house. Witnesses :

Jonas Chamberlain,

Hannah Fincher, Joseph Heald,

John Earl,

Thomas Cook, Martha Garretson,

Robert Hodgin, Calvin Cooper,

Naomi Garretson, Anne Hussey,

Thomas Prowell,

Content Garretson,

Andrew Moore, Mary Garretson,

John Noblet, Rebecca Bennett,

Francis Fincher,

Robert Mills,

Nathan Hussey,

John Garretson,

William Garretson,

Mary Hussey,

Christopher Hussey,

Sarah Bennett,

John Day,

Nathan Hussey, jr.,

Samuel Cox,

Susannah Hussey, Mary Cox,

Thomas Bulor,

Benjamin Eliot,

William Cox,

Patrick Carson, Olive Underwood,

Joseph Key,

Jane Underwood, Joseph Bennett,

Sarah Mills,

Mary Carson,

William Bennett, Mary Davison,

Abraham Noblet,

Phoebe Frazer,

Isaac Cox,

Sarah Farmer,

Margaret Stout.

Isaac Cox, son of Thomas Cox, of War- rington, and Olive Underwood, daughter of Alexander Underwood, of Warrington, were married at Warrington meeting 9-27- 1746. (Names of witnesses not copied.)

William Smith, son of John Smith, de- ceased, of Warrington, and Jane Under- wood, daughter of Alexander, of the same place, were married 8-9-1747 at Warrington meeting. Witnesses:

Rebecca Bennett, Alexander Underwood,

Mary Garretson, Joseph Smith,

Joseph Garretson, William Underwood,

Samuel Cox, Rebecca Bennett,

Thomas Cox, Mary Garretson,

Isaac Cox, Olive Cox,

William Griffith, Anne Hussey,

Joseph Bennett,

Mary Garretson,

John Wright,

Margaret Carson,

John Cox. sr.,

Sarah Mills,

John Cox, jr.,

Hannah Cox,

Benjamin Underwood, John Pope,

Solomon Shepherd, John Beals,

William Ferrall,

Richard Cox.

Peter Cook, Thomas Cook.

Samuel Cox, son of John, of Huntingdon, and Hannah Wierman, daughter of Wil- liam, of Huntingdon, were married at Hunt- ingdon meeting 8-22-1747. £ (Witnesses' names not copied.)

Robert Vale and Sarah Butler were mar- ried in Warrington 8-10-1748. He was born in London, was an excellent classical scholar. They became acquainted on board the ship while immigrating. In a note Robert Vale says, "when he came to York County, it was a wilderness of woods, and Indians came to see them after their mar- riage.'

William Beals to Mary Mullineux, IO-I- 1749.

Nathan Hussey, Jr., to Susannah Heald, 2-26-1749.

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Isaac Bennett, Ann Day, Sarah Cook. Susannah Key, Jane Carson, Moses Key,

John Day,

Thomas Cox, Elizabeth Willy,

James Fraizer,

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FRIENDS OR QUAKERS

John Garretson to Jane Carson, 6-22-1749. Susanna Updegraff, of the same place, William Osborne to Rebecca Cox, 10-5- daughter of Joseph and Mary : 4-6-1794.

1750.

Benjamin Underwood to Susanna Griest, phia County, and Ruth Kirk, of the borough

daughter of John Griest, 7-1-1750.

Thomas Walmsley, of Byberry, Philadel- of York, daughter of Solomon and Sarah Miller, and widow of Elisha K. ; 6-5-1794. She died 6-18-1798, in her forty-seventh

Alexander Underwood, of Warrington, son of John, deceased, and Mary, and Rhoda Updegraff, of York, daughter of Harmon and Lydia, deceased ; 10-22-1794.

William Farquhar, of Pipe Creek, Fred- erick County, Md., son of William and Ann, deceased, and Lydia Willis, daughter of William, of York County, and Betty, de- ceased ; 12-8-1796.

Harmon Updegraff, of the borough of York, and Susanna Mills, of the same place, County ; I-14-1801.

Thomas Conard, of the Northern Lib- erties, of Philadelphia, son of Matthew and Mary, deceased, of Philadelphia city, and Sarah Welch, daughter of William and Hannah, of the borough of York ; 9-9-1801.

William Farquhar, of Frederick County, Md., son of Allen and Phoebe, deceased, and Sarah Updegraff, daughter of Joseph and Mary, of the borough of York; 10-7-1801.

Thomas Leech. of Warrington Township,

Joe Willis, of the borough of York, son son of Thomas and Phoebe, and Hannah of William Willis and Betty, his wife, the Garretson, of East Manchester, daughter of latter deceased, and Hannah Jessop, of the Cornelius and Margaret, deceased; 2-10- same place, daughter of Thomas, deceased, 1802. and Ann : 12-12-1787.

John Bentley, of Warrington, son of John and Tamer, deceased, and Susanna Jones, of the borough of York, daughter of John and Elizabeth ; 10-22-1788.

Josiah Jordan, of Manchester, son of son of Nathan and Sofia, deceased, and James, deceased, and Charity, and Lydia Miller, of Manchester, daughter of Solomon and Sarah, deceased; 6-17-1789.

Ellis Cleaver, of Gwynedd, son of Ezekiel and Mary, deceased, and Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Solomon, of the borough of York, and Sarah, deceased ; 4-7-1791.

Caleb Bracken, of the borough of York, deceased ; 3-16-1808.

son of James, deceased, and Mary, and Re- becca Miller, of the borough of York, daughter of Solomon and Sarah, deceased; 8-14-1793.

Jonathan Jessop, of the borough of York. son of Thomas, deceased, and Ann, and Latimore. Adams County, and Rebecca, and

John Worley, of York County, son of Jacob and Ann, and Elizabeth Coats, of the borough of York, daughter of Aaron, de- ceased, and Mary : 7-6-1803.

Daniel Hains, of Frederick County, Md., Rachel Updegraff, daughter of Ambrose and Elizabeth, deceased, of York County ; IO-28-1806.

Timothy Kirk, of York Town, son of Timothy and Mary, of Harford County, Md., and Edith Kirk, widow of Eli, and daughter of Joseph and Susanna Updegraff,

Samuel Jefferis, son of William, deceased, of Pennsylvania, and Priscilla, and Lydia Cope, daughter of John, deceased, of York borough, and Mary ; 9-13-1809.

Amos Griest, of York, son of Joseph, of

There 'are recorded in one of these books 296 marriages, extending from 1747 to 1849. In this list the name Garretson occurs 45 year; a minister about twenty-three years. times; Griest, 25 times; Griffith, 18 times ; Hussey, 17 times; Updegraff, 20 times; Willis, Io times; Vale, 21 times ; Wright, IO times; Wickersham, 18 times; Mills, 10 times ; Morthland, 7 times ; Cook, 25 times ; Blackburn, 25 times; Hammond, 6 times ; Kirk, 13 times ; Penrose, 7 times; Cadwal- ader, 17 times ; Atkinson, 15 times ; Cleaver, IO times; Marsh, 6 times; Jones, 7 times ; McMullin, 19 times; Underwood, 20 times ; Thomas, 10 times; etc.

The following is a list of the widow of William Mills, late of Lancaster

Marriages marriages at York meeting, as at York. far as recorded :

John Cope, of the borough of Lancaster, in the County of Lancaster, son of Caleb Cope and Mary, his wife, and Mary Updegraff, daughter of Harmon Updegraff and Lydia, his wife, 9-13-1786.

Daniel Ragan, of York Town, in the County of York, and Ruth Worley, widow of Francis Worley, late of the same place ; II-14-1787.

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Phoebe Swayne of York, daughter of In 1793 this meeting was informed that a James and Hannah, deceased ; 10-18-1809.

Mordecai Williams, of Warrington, and Mary Holland, of York Town; 3-14-1810.

Samuel Cook, of Warrington, son of Samuel and Ruth, deceased, and Sarah Gar- retson, daughter of Cornelius, of Anne Arundel County. Md., and Margaret, de- ceased ; 4-17-18II.

Amos James, of Baltimore city, son of Thomas, deceased, of Harford County, Md., and Ann, deceased, and Mary Cope, widow of John, and daughter of Harmon Upde- graff, deceased, of York, and Lydia, de- ceased ; 6-12-18II.

John Gillingham, of Baltimore city, son of James and Elizabeth, of same, and Mary Updegraff, daughter of Joseph and Mary, of York, the former deceased : 9-21-1814.

Benjamin Garretson, of Newberry, son of Samuel and Alice, deceased, and Orpah Smith, daughter of Samuel, of Spring Gar- den Township. and Ruth ; 8-13-1823.

Obadiah Dingee, of Lampeter, son of Jacob and Elizabeth, deceased, of East Marlborough, and Hannah Welch, daughter of William, deceased, and Hannah, of York; 12-II-1823.

Phineas Davis, of York, son of Nathan and Mary, deceased, of Grafton, N. H., and Hannah Taylor, of York County, daughter

of Libni and Sarah, of Clearfield County, chased on which to build a school house. Penna. : 11-15-1836.

York This meeting was established in 1786 and ordered to be held " on Monthly the fourth day of the week pre- Meeting. ceding the second first day of each month, and known as the York monthly meeting." The first meet- preacher in 1795.

ing was held on the fifth day of the seventh Edward Jones was an estimable gentle- month, 1786. Persons appointed to the man and highly respected preacher. After meeting were Edward Jones, James Han- the removal of the Newberry monthly cock, John Garretson, Benjamin Under- meeting farther west he lived in the old Newberry meeting house. He was thrown out of a carriage and his leg was broken, 7-29-1823, and died soon after, aged eighty- three years. wood, John Marsh, William Nevitt, Samuel Cookson. The women appointed were Miriam Hussey, Elizabeth Cook, Sarah Williams, Ruth Cook, Lydia Garretson, and Hannah Kirk. William Kersey was ap- Peter Cleaver, who came from Upper Dublin, Philadelphia County, was for thirty years a clerk of Warrington and Newberry monthly meeting. William Underwood was clerk from 1747 to 1775. Susannah El- gar, Isaac Everett and Abel Thomas were noted preachers in 1780 and before. During pointed clerk of the meeting in 1786, and John Lone, overseer. Elisha Kirk succeeded as clerk, and Joseph Updegraff overseer. William Welch was appointed in 1786 to re- cord births and deaths. Harmon Updegraff was appointed elder in 1787, Thomas Owen in 1814, and Amos Farquhar clerk in 1814. the latter part of the Revolutionary period

number of Friends had settled at Wright's Ferry, and permission was granted them to hold "a meeting for worship;" Jacob Wor- ley, Caleb Kirk, Jonathan Jessop and John Love were appointed to visit the Friends at Wright's Ferry and assist them in 1797; Jonathan Jessop was appointed clerk of the York meeting in 1797, "in room of Elisha Kirk, who died."

The meeting at Wright's Ferry, in the house of Andrew Moore, was continued until 5-8-1798.

The following death records were re- ported at dates named: "Our esteemed friend, Hannah Willis, an elder, departed this life 5-10-1798. William Willis, an elder, died 9-25-1801. in the seventy-fourth year of his age. Harmon Updegraff. an elder, died 5-20-1811, aged seventy-three years. Joseph Elgar, a minister, died 7-13- ISII, aged eighty-one years. Ann Love, an elder, died 8-14-1821. Margaret Elgar, a minister, died 3-29-1821. in the eighty- second year of her age."

NOTES FROM RECORDS.

Johanna Heald died 1781, in what is now Fairview Township. She was a noted Quakeress preacher.

In 1779, sixteen acres of land were pur-

The trustees appointed were Ellis Lewis, John Garretson, William Lewis and James Kingsley. This school house was built at Lewisberry, which was then a hamlet in Red Land Valley.

James Thomas was a highly esteemed

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FRIENDS OR QUAKERS

Abel Thomas visited Friends in North Carolina, and afterward acted as a guide to Gen. Greene in his retreat northward across that state when pursued by Cornwallis. He afterward passed through the British lines to remain with Friends, and protect them during the war. Many friends had emi- grated from York County to that state years before.

John Day was appointed elder of New- berry meeting in 1748, and Peter Stout was made overseer the same year.

Thomas Wilson, John Blackburn, Wil- liam Delap, Daniel Winter, Patrick Carson and others, located in York County, 1736, coming from Calahagan, Ireland.

Henry Clark built a sawmill in Warring- ton, 1748. He came from Chester County. He sawed the timber for the new court house at York in 1753. Aaron Frazer pro- duced a certificate from Newark meeting and located in York County, 1748.

The following is a form of marriage certificate used in 1780:

Whereas, William Squibb, of the Township of War- rington, and County of York, in Pennsylvania, son of William Squibb and Sarah, his wife, and Jane Morth- land, of the township and county aforesaid, daughter of William Morthland and Ruth, his wife, having appeared before several monthly meetings of the people called Quakers, at Warrington, and declared their intention of marriage with each other, according to the good order used amongst them; and having consent of their parents and parties concerned, their proposal of marriage was allowed by the said meetings. Now these are to certify whom it may concern, that for the full accomplishment of their said intention, they, the said William Squibb and Jane Morthland, appeared at the public meeting at Warrington, in the County of York, on the twenty- fourth day of the second month, in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty. And then and there, in the said assembly, the said William Squibb taking the said Jane Morthland by the hand did in a solemn manner, openly promising with the Lord's assist- ance, to be unto her a loving and faithful husband, until death should separate them. And then and there, in the same assembly, the said Jane Morthland did in like man- ner declare, that she took him, the said William Squibb, to be her husband, promising with the Lord's assistance, to be to him a loving and faithful wife until death should separate them.

And moreover, they, the said William Squibb and Jane Morthland, she, according to the custom of marriage, assuming the name of her husband, did then and there to these presents set their hands.

WILLIAM SQUIBB, JANE MORTHLAND.

And for a further confirmation, we, whose names are also here underscribed, who were present at the solemnization of the said marriage and subscription, have, as witnesses, thereunto set our hands the day and vear above written.

William Squibb William Underwood

William Morthland Alexander Underwood

Ruth Morthland Rebecca Morthland

Robert Morthland

Ruth Walker

Robert Squibb

Rebecca Cox

John Marsh

Ruth Underwood

Joseph Bradley

Benjamin Underwood

Mary Squibb

David Cadwalader

Jane Yarnell

Sarab Cadwalader

Mary Godfrey

Joshua Vale

Sarah Thomas

Jonathan Mash

Martha Morris

Margaret Lerew

John Marsh

Miriam Hussey

Robert Vale

Sarah Williams

George Newcomer

William Garretson

Jacob Underwood

Jolın Vale

Benjamin Walker

John Godfrey.

Most of the early Friends who set- tled in York County were an excellent class of people, and carried out the mode of discipline of the society in respect to war, intemperance, marriage, etc.

The following notes will illustrate a few points and will doubtless be read with in- terest :

Patrick Carson, a Scotch-Irish-

Random man, though a member of the

Notes. Society of Friends. in 1748, " passed the lie" on Thomas Cox, a fellow-member. This caused a dif- fictilty. John Day and Richard Wickersham were appointed to bring them to "terms of peace.' They were obliged to go to Chester County, where the trouble origi- nated. Upon their return. Patrick was made to subscribe his name to an apology, which he did in order to remain in " friendly unity with the society," but afterwards " he regretted to believe that his allegations were true,"

Joseph Bennet, 7-10-1748, signed a docu- ment as follows: "I acknowledge with great sorrow that I was overtaken with the effects of spirittious liquors in the harvest field, reaping for John Rankin in Red Land Valley (Lewisberry) last harvest. It was a hot day. I drank more than I should have to drive out the sweat to make me in better capacity to follow my work, but it pro- duced the contrary effect, so that I was for a time light in the head and talked foolish. Wishing to remain in unity with the Friends, I hereby acknowledge my error."

Thomas Cook was reproved in 1747 by Newberry meeting for drinking spirituons liquors, and John Day was appointed to oversee him.

Richard Carson, in 1765, was required to acknowledge in public at meeting "his great error for having a fiddling and danc- ing party at his house."

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HISTORY OF YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

A certain member was disowned by the Society for failing to pay a debt to Joseph Hutton, in 1758.

Joseph John, a member, was made to apologize for his error "for running off with and marrying a woman that some one else intended to marry."

John Blackburn and John Pope, in 1755, joined the forces from York County to quell the Indian troubles along the northern and western frontier. They were the first to violate the laws of the Society of Friends. According to the principles of the great founder of Pennsylvania, the Indians were to be treated with, and not quelled by force of arms. A committee was appointed to persuade them " in love and amity that they might see the error of their way." These two men, however, would not yield. John Blackburn afterward became one of the president court justices of York County, and during the Revolution was one of the first of the Friends to join the American army.

Thomas Noblet appeared before New- berry meeting, 8-21-1756, and said: "I ask pardon for not keeping the principles of berry meeting in 1756. truth, and giving way so far to the enemy, to enlist as a soldier, contrary to the good order kept among the Friends, for which I am very sorry."

Abraham Noblet entered the military service during the French and Indian war. A committee was appointed by the monthly meeting to treat with him and endeavor to bring him to a sight of his error. He acknowledged his error after retiring from service.

Armael Fincher, 6-8-1758, signed the fol- lowing document :

Dear Friends :- Whereas I have been educated in the way of truth among the Society of Friends, but for want of keeping to the principles thereof, in my own heart, have gone far astray, being much surprised as to the reports of the Indians being in the neighborhood, I took my gun in order to defend myself, for which I am sorry, and give this for the clearance of truth. I hope to be more careful of my conduct in the future.

Henry Underwood enlisted as a soldier in 1756. He afterward at meeting acknowl- edged it to be " a great wrong to bear arms against his countrymen, and kill them."

Henry Clark, on 2-18-1758, acknowledged his great wrong in being overtaken with strong drink, and got his gun to defend himself against the Indians, " whereof I am sorry and ask to be forgiven."

Abraham Noblet acknowledged his error in being married " by a priest to a woman not a member of the Society of Friends." He appeared at Warrington monthly meet- ing and made an apology, which by order of meeting was to be read publicly at the New- berry preparative meeting by Joseph Ben- net, and Noblet re-instated in meeting, which was done.

Francis Fincher and William Bennet had to submit to a public censure in meeting " for drinking too freely and using bad words." Samuel Underwood and William Griffith were appointed to treat with them.

James McGrew, in 1757, acknowledged his error " for taking too much drink while with others and singing improper songs."

John Powell asked permission of War- rington meeting to go to New Garden, Chester County, "to take a young woman for a wife," in 1749. Granted.

John Griest produced a certificate from Concord, Chester County, 1759, and located in Warrington.

John Willis became a member of New-

John Rankin, 10-7-1771, bought a slave, which was contrary to the rules of Friends. Timothy Kirk, William Lewis, William Penrose and John Hancock were appointed to treat with him, but their report was un- favorable and he would not concede his error. John Rankin afterward became a colonel in the Third Battalion of York County Associators, during the Revolution, but in 1778 became a tory. An attempt was made to capture him, but by aid of his slave, Ralph, he escaped and went to Long Island. He afterward sent an order manumitting his slave. Col. Rankin and his brother, Col. . William Rankin, were quite influential during the early part of the Revolutionary period.

Jedadiah Hussey, who lived in Warring- ton about 1800, could lift a barrel full of cider to his mouth and drink out of it.

JESSE KERSEY, an eminent minister of the Society of Friends, was born in York, eighth month, fifth day, 1768. His father, William Kersey, who was clerk of the York and Warrington meetings, was married to Hannah Bennett, daughter of Joseph Ben- nett, one of the first settlers in the vicinity of Lewisberry, this county. Jesse Kersey went to Philadelphia in 1784 to learn the

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SCOTCH-IRISH

trade of potter, and while following that occupation was a constant and devoted student of sacred literature. In 1789 he be- came a teacher in Chester County ; in 1790 was united in marriage with Elizabeth Coates, moved to York, and pursued his trade until 1794. The following year he traveled a distance of 1,700 miles in three months, through Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, and until 1804 spent most of his time traveling in America, visiting Friends' meetings and preaching. In the latter year he visited England and Ireland, returned home in 1805 and became a prom- inent preacher of the Philadelphia yearly meeting. In 1814 he visited the south under a concern in especial relation to American slavery and the mode of deliv- erance from its evil consequences. Upon his return he visited President Madison, to whom he presented his views on this sub- ject, and was received by the president with great cordiality. He then continued his travels through Virginia, holding meetings and discussing the question of human bond- age. On account of his kind and persuasive manner he was treated courteously even by his strongest opponents. He continued to preach until his death in Chester County, in the fall of 1845. Jesse Kersey was a man of remarkable purity and simplicity of char- acter, and is declared " to have gone to his grave with the benedictions of many thousands who knew him, and without the enmity of one living being." He was a man of extraordinary endowments, and one of the ablest and most eloquent speakers among the Society of Friends. Immense congregations always greeted him on his travels, for his fame had gone before him. There was a dignity and nobleness about him that always commanded respect and gave evidence of an exalted aim.

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History of York County Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 22

Author: Prowell, George R. Publication date: 1907 Publisher: J. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1372

Author: Prowell, George R.
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: J. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1372